SGPC takes possession of land in Bathinda

Backed by gun-toting and stick-wielding supporters, a team of officials of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) took possession of the 161 acres of land in Bhai Rupa village on Monday.

As many as 51 villagers, who are playing a lead role in channelising the agitation against the alleged attempts by the SGPC to usurp the land are locked in jail these days. The SGPC, perhaps, took it as an opportunity to take the possession of land, the villagers alleged.

A large number of SGPC supporters, a majority of them from other districts, along with about 25 tractor-trolleys, had gathered outside the village on Monday morning to take possession of the land. Many of them were carrying firearms and sticks. Many of the women supporters of the SGPC were also carrying sticks.

The SGPC team put tractors in operation at four places around the village on the land in question to claim its possession.